Spring Adult League draws good numbers

April 02, 2001|By JASON CRUM

Norm Sommerfeld, Executive Director for the Sportsplex and the league coordinator, says he is excited about the upcoming season.

"This hockey league is really growing," said Sommerfeld, who is an accomplished player himself as well as an administrator. "We had eight teams for the fall/winter league, but for spring we already have 10 teams. It's going to be an exciting season."

Players in the Adult Hockey League are divided into two categories, according to their skill level. Players in the "A" category are usually those with a good amount of playing experience. "The A-level players have usually played college hockey, junior-C, or even high school hockey," Sommerfeld explained. Recreational and first-time players would be placed in the "B" category.

Because fewer teams competed in the fall/winter league, the A and B players were not separated. But with the increase in the number of teams and players for the spring league, there will be separate A and B divisions. That means beginners will not have to skate with the more experienced players.

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"With a separate B division, it's a great time for beginners to get some experience," Sommerfeld explained. "We already have 30 new members signed up for the spring league; some of them have never skated before."

The roster for the spring league includes players from as far away as Cheboygan, Lewiston, Central Lake and Midland. "We draw players from all over northern Michigan," Sommerfeld said.

Women are also encouraged to participate. "When I was growing up, they (women hockey players) were unheard of," Sommerfeld said. "But we've had four or five women play in this league over the years. We had two women in the fall/winter league [that just ended], and we'd like to encourage even more to sign up for spring."

At the end of the season, the ultimate prize awaits for members of the championship team: bragging rights. "To a true hockey player, I think that's all that matters," Sommerfeld said with a laugh.

Sommerfeld, who played hockey for Alpena High School and also played at the Junior-C level, was the second-leading scorer in the fall/winter league. He scored 72 goals and had 66 assists for the Sportsplex team. His 144 points were second only to Tim Hanley of the Traverse Bay team. Hanley scored an amazing total of 90 goals and had 54 assists to edge out Sommerfeld for the scoring title. Traverse Bay also beat Sommerfeld's Sportsplex team in the championship finals.

The spring season is scheduled to begin on Sunday, April 8, and has an approximate end date of May 22.

Games are scheduled Sunday through Thursday with all starting times set for 8 p.m.

"There is still time to sign up," Sommerfeld said. "But the start of the season is really close, so they don't want to wait too much longer."

Anyone who would like to play in the Spring Adult Hockey League may call the Sportsplex at (517) 731-3546.